Scott stared from the twentieth floor as his assistant droned on the daily numbers behind him. He watched as a plane circled the city, no doubt on its way back in from a long flight. It wouldn’t be long until his annual trip to Tokyo. He wasn’t ready. Then again, he never was. His mind traveled to Kotone and her gentle smile and kind heart. Had it really been ten years? His eyes flicked to the pictures cycling through on his digital frame. It was their first honeymoon in Hakone. Mt. Fuji was clear and crisp in the distance. Kotone was sitting on the floor with the big glass windows open, her back turned toward the camera. Her long hair came out from beneath a flowery sun hat and her flowing white dress reached to her ankles.

The mountain always gave her peace, and each summer they returned to the same onsen. They had beautiful traditional inns in Hakone. The hot springs that flowed by the bath house was refreshing in the cold mountain air. As they became wealthier, Scott offered to take her to nicer ones. However, Kotone would have none of them, she was very insistent on it being that same one. It was their first place. He could feel her warmth. He had removed the next pictures, they hurt too much.

“So, the numbers would suggest that we buy into fluffy little pink bunnies and sail them to the Andromeda galaxy.” Luci finished.

Scott turned to her in bewilderment, “What?” Luci let out a sigh and set down her tablet. “Scott, are you okay? You’ve spent the last twenty minutes grunting at me and staring out the window.” He cracked a half smile and scratched his head, “sorry, Luce, have a lot on my mind this morning.” She reached out and touched Scott’s arm. “It’s understandable. You didn’t have to come in today. I think people would understand.” He pulled away from her grasp and sat behind his desk. “That was ten years ago, most people don’t understand after three weeks, let alone ten years.” Scott clicked on a few files and pulled up his schedule for the week. “It’s old news to them,” he added.

Luci sat in front of his desk and stared across at him. Her closeness lately was putting him on edge. She was undoubtedly attractive, with her blue eyes and dark brown hair. She looked especially lovely in her red blazer and black slacks today. Luci was slender, but still had curves. Every guy in the office had tried to ask her out at some point. For whatever reason, she had said no. He was beginning to understand why. And he didn’t like it.

“Scott, it’s your daughter’s birthday and the anniversary of your wife’s death. I think I can handle today, just go home and─”

“And it’s a week before we go live with Tokyo. I appreciate your sentiment, Luce, but I need to be behind this project if it’s going to happen.” She went to speak, but he cut her off, “Yamamoto-san is very picky about who he talks to. You know that.”

Luci interjected, “Yes, but─”

“He is especially not fond of women,” Scott said. She puffed out her cheeks and folded her arms. He chuckled and shook his head, “Sorry, kiddo. But you know I’m right,” he finished. “The sad part is I know you are.” She stood and turned to leave, “I’m beginning to not have a fondness for men.” She quipped. “Luci?” she was halfway across the room, moving toward the double doors that led out of his office. “Wait, what about my─” she was out the door before he could say it. “Schedule,” he finished lamely. He really needed to learn more about this couth thing.

* * *

John growled and chucked the phone across the room. What the hell was going on? He had been trying to call her for the last couple days. Normally Celeste picked up on the first ring. When he checked her house, it looked like she had come home. Her car was in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be found. He paced the floor, chewing on his nails.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“You really shouldn’t do that,” the quiet voice sounded from above. He broke into a grin and looked up to the woman at the top of the stairs. “Hey, sorry, did I wake you?” John asked. Mitsuko shook her head, her soft waves bouncing over his shirt. It looked lovely on her, but then again, everything did. She descended slowly, her figure transparent in the white cloth. He averted his eyes and tried to focus on the statue by the door.

It was his first Japanese-inspired piece since the shrine maiden a few centuries ago. He hated making such a creature with his hands, considering the evil nature behind the beast, but it was the cost and the creature demanded tribute. He would have to do more to bring attention to the statue, probably donate it to the Japanese Gardens in order to appease the Spirit’s thirst for vanity. If that’s what it took, so be it. At least it would buy him more time. Not just him, the entire world. He needed to keep the awakening from happening. The Nogitsune might not have been pleasant with Celeste when he shifted as John, but at least it did the job.

Mitsuko stood on her toes, kissed John on the cheek, and then skipped into the kitchen. “Did you get a hold of her?” she called over her shoulder. He watched as she grabbed milk and pulled the cereal down from the pantry shelf. “No, I wasn’t able to. I’m starting to worry. Do you think it could have started again?” Mitsuko looked up and smiled, her green eyes sparkling. “No dear. If she had, I would have sensed it. Besides, Doctor Heisman seems to think she is doing just fine.” He nodded stoically and crossed the room. His arms wrapped around her and he breathed into her perfumed hair. She always smelled like spring, all the flowers blending together into one unknown scent. She sighed and melted into him. Mitsuko turned to John and pulled his face to hers. Their lips locked and he groaned as he lifted her to the counter.

* *   *

Scott reached for his phone as his car was pulled around. Celeste would get the surprise of a lifetime for her birthday, it was a big year. He knew what she loved, and he was determined to see her smile again. Really smile. He walked around the silver Mercedes and the door opened. A shimmering shoe, and red silk emerged from the side and he looked up to see Luci smiling.

He was starting his apology, when Luci put her finger to her mouth and smiled, shushing him. “I’ve already made all of the arrangements, your flight leaves Monday morning at six-thirty a.m., your live session with Tokyo starts at six p.m., and dinner with your daughter is at seven-thirty. I’m having the house decorated and arranged accordingly, and Dr. Heisman believes that she is ready to remember.” Scott, taken back looked to Luci with a newfound respect, “Well, it seems I should listen to you more often.” He extended his hand, “Forgive an old man set in his ways?” Luci nodded and gave a firm shake. “Go be with her, I’ll be around if you need me,” she said as she turned and walked away. He couldn’t help himself. That dress looked amazing on her, and he watched as she eased herself into the black sedan. He sat down and looked out of his rearview mirror as she turned the car onto the main road. Maybe it was time to move forward.

Remembering what he needed to do, he picked up the phone and dialed John’s number. John answered on the first ring, “Hey. We’ve got a problem.”

“Excuse me?” Scott asked. “What do you mean, we have a problem?” There was a short pause on the other end, “I think she discovered Mitsuko.” Scott slammed his fist into the dashboard. “Are you fucking kidding me?” John started talking, but Scott talked right over him. “Do you have any idea what you might have caused? For once, stop thinking about your feelings and realize there are other people living in this goddamn world,” he spat. “Listen, Scott, I’m sorry, I messed up. I didn’t realize it until I saw the dent in the front door.” Scott growled and John started talking frantically,

“Mitsuko didn’t know, she was in a trance and she can’t help where she appears, you know that─” “Just. Fix it.” Scott interrupted. He hung up and gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the pressure. So much for a relaxing evening, he thought. He turned onto the main road and told his phone to call the one person he knew could help. It rang several times, before he heard the cackle on the other end. “I thought I’d hear from you soon.” Scott sighed heavily. It always came to this, same old story. “The tea is on, whenever you are ready.” He could feel the smile from the other end.

*   * *